EU Moves to Restore Full Cooperation with Syria
The European Commission has proposed a full resumption of cooperation with Syria under the 1978 bilateral agreement, marking a further step toward deeper relations ahead of planned talks with Syrian officials in May.
The proposal follows the lifting of most Western sanctions on Syria late last year. The country is seeking broader integration into the international community under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the alliance of Islamist rebel factions that ousted Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 after 14 years of civil war.
Since Assad's removal, Damascus has sought to rebuild its international standing and forge closer ties with foreign partners. Syria is also gaining strategic importance as a transit country, particularly in the context of the energy disruption triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict with Iran.
The proposal has yet to be formally approved by the European Council.